Self-filling fountain pen



May 16, 1933. e. s. VIVIAN SELF FILLING FGUNTAIN PEN a I I l l I nu HHI lfl-HI I UI I HHI HI IIIIIIIID llll Filed Nov. 13, 1951 I I IH P MH I I LUHI LHHHI 7 r I f I I rd a 2 4 G50 5 VVENWQ as. Nam

@ Pee ATT May 16, 1933. G. s. VIVIAN SELF FILLING FOUNTAIN PEN Filed Nov. 13, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 MWWMMM WMWW M w n M WA- May 16, 1933. e; s. VIVIAN SELF FILLING FOUNTAIN PEN Filed Nov. 13, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 L////////////////r///////r///////////// c mgaca-rqae 9 150265 IVIAH P52 TP MK ATTQQNEQ? Ill/l/If/llf/fllI/l Ill/Ill!lll/l/IlI/llf/l/lll/l I! Patented May 16, 1933 P ATE at oer-roe} G EGRGEV'I-VIAN; OFNORBURY: LONDON, ENGLAND, -ASSIGNOROF ONE-HALF T0 1. B. FORD LILIVII'I -IEID OF LOUDWAT ENGLAND- V SELF-FILLING FOUNTAIN PEN Application filed Novemberlii; 1931,,Seria1 No. 574,827, and in Great Britain April 2, 1931 My present invention relates to self-fill ing' fountain pens in which a pistonor plunger.is reciprocatediinthe reservoir of the pen to cheat a filling operation. In some such self-filling. fountain pens a. loose non-return valve member. permits passage ofink' through the piston. when the piston is being returned to its. normal position and closes a. passage in thepistonon the suction stroke, and in others the piston is constructed to accommodate a valve: which involves a somewhat intricate or delicate construction. In others the efiecting otadequateair venting at the appropriate moments provides an air vent passagewhich is liable to cause leakage of the ink along such passage, or in others the air. vent passage is so restricted that it becomes chokedi The object of my present invention is .to provide a self-filling fountain pen-ofthc reciprocating piston or plunger type'in which these obj ect-ions do not arise.

My present inventionis broadly characterizedby an airvent passage extending from a pointnear'th'e nib to. a. point near the top ofthe reservoir, and a reciprocating piston actuating member adapted. to normally close said vent passage. p According tovthe preferred form of my present inventionair air vent: passage extends fromv the nihreceivingend. of: the pen. to a point in; juxtaposition t0 the upper end of the-reservoir of the pen and means is provided to open. this air vent at its upper end in advance of. drawing the pistonupwards to draw ink, into the reservoir soas to provide an airescape passage above thepiston, means also beingprovided to automatically seal; said air vent at the completion of a filling operation whereby it required an air vent passage of substantial cross sectionmay be employed which can be opened during filling.

An. embodiment of my invention briefly comprises a reservoir. with a gland at' its up.- per' end sealing an axially 'slidable tubular piston rod as connected to apair of piston operating abutments and hasalost motion connection with one of them, the other one of which normally engages the upper side of a piston and is adapted to press the piston downwards after it has been retracted and the other of which is adapted to be drawn by retraction of said rod against the lower 't'ac'e of the piston; to close an ink passage therein and to move thepiston upwards to eliect a charging stroke, the said lower abutment constituting a one-way. valve, and having movable with it a member adapted .to isolate the reservoir from the ink out-flow passage of the nib end of the pen during the movement of the valve from its normal open position to the stage when it engages and'closes the ink passage in the .piston,.an air vent tube extending from an opening in the lower end or quill of'the pen to a point near the upper-end of the reservoir and being located at its upper end concentrically within-but annularlyspaced from the tubular piston rod, said tubular piston rod normally sealing the upper end of said vent tube and containing an air vent opening adapted when the tubular piston rod is'raised so as touncover the upper end of'said vent tube to establishcommunication with the interior of the reservoir and the air vent in the space above the retracting-piston.

My present invention, will be more clearly understood by reference to the accompanying three'sheets of drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof asappliedto the type of selt fill ingfount-ain pen in: which the reservoir is a tubular body removably accommodated,withinanouter sheath or casing, and wherein':

Fig. 1. is asection through the outer sheath or casing, showing the reservoir enclosed thereineandvthe nib covered by a cap: which can be removedand fitted over the upper end of the pen.

Fig. 2 is in. common with the'remaining Figs. 3 to 7 a section throughthe reservoir and filling. mechanism and it shows the normal positions of the various parts.

F ig. 3 shows the first stage ofa fillingoperation in which the reservoir is isolated from the ink outlet in advance of retractingfthe piston.

ER, HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKINGI-IAMSHIRE,

Fig. 4: shows the piston about to be retractechand a Fighhqshows the piston retracted.

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation View in which the pen is formed wlth a one piece cap and sheath.

-Fig. .9 is a sectional elevation showing a modified form of outer sheath.

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are sectional elevation views of an alternative form of my inven- "tlOI'l showing various stages and allowing for greater axial movement of the piston.

Referring to the drawings the reservoir 1 is preferably atransparent tube so that the amount ofink therein can be readily ascertained. It is closed at its lower end by a vulcanite'orother suitable tubular member 2 which accommodates the quill 3 and nib 4, the ink flow passage being indicated by the reference numeral 5. The upper end of the reservoir is closed by a gland 6 through which is guided a piston rod 7 which as shown in Fig. 2 is tubular from a rubber or cork sealing disc 8 downwards. The tubular portion 7a of the piston rod slides over but with an annular clearance from a tube 9 which is a fixture inside the reservoir and extends from a lateral opening 966 in the quill 3 to a point near the top of the reservoirwhere it is normally sealed bybeing engaged by the rubber or cork disc 8. When it is required to release the piston rod 7, this can be effected by rotating the cap 10 threaded on to the gland 6 and fixed to the upper end of the rod 7.

\Vhen it is required to charge the reservoir with ink the cap 10 is completely unscrewed from the gland 6 and a pull applied to it to retract the rod 7 which at theappropriate moment draws a piston 11 upwards along the interior of the reservoir and draws ink into the reservoir through the passage 5, the space above the piston 11 communicating with the atmosphere through the tube 9.

The raising of the piston is effected by engaging it with a valve 12 which normally occupies the position shown in Fig. 2 so that ink is free to flow through the piston and a passage 18 to the nib 4. The tube 9 acts as a guide rod for a sleeve 14 on which is formed the valve 12 and an enlargement 15 adapted to close the passage 13 upon first slight movement of the piston rod 7 outwardsso that no ink can flow out of the reservoir pending the period which elapses before the valve 12 seats against the piston 11. The engagement of the enlargement 15 inthe passage 18 can if desired be adapted to be effected before the piston. rod cap 10 is completely unscrewed from the gland 6 thereby providing an effective seal against leakage of ink when the pen is not in use.

The valve carrying sleeve 14 is continued upwards beyond the sleeve into a larger diameter portion is slotted longitudinally as indicated at 14a, the slotting meeting the dual purpose of allowing ink to flow through a central opening 11a of the piston and providing a somewhat resilient frictional 'slidable engagement with the lower end of a tubular'slotted coupling member 16 constituting a fixed part of the lower end of the piston ;rod, so that whenthe piston rod is first drawn upwards. the friction between the parts 14 and 16 will draw the enlargement 15 into the passage 13 and the valve 12 against the piston 11. Continued upward movement of the rod 7 will cause "the part 16 to now slide upwards over the member 14 until a diametrical pm 146 at the upper end (Sf-the member is engaged by the lower end of the member 16 as shown in Fig. 4 when the previous frictional resistance of the piston to movement is overcome and the piston positively'drawn upwards by the valve 12 ink being drawn into the reservoir and air displaced from above the piston through the vent tube 9; When the piston rod has been pulled out until the upper end of the part 16 abuts against the gland 6' as shown in Fig.5 the sequence of operations is reversed by pushing the piston rod home resulting in the sleeve 14 being returned until its enlargement 15 closes the passage 13' so that no ink can be forced out through the passage 5 when sub- 'sequently the piston is engagedby the lower end of the part 16 and pushed back to its normal position. When the enlargement 15 abuts against the quill 3 the part 16 then slides over the upper end of the sleeve 14 and the cap 10 is screwed home.

v The invention is particularly suitable for transparent reservoirs because the piston can be actuateduntil the ink reaches the desired height inthe reservoir. Should it be required to air vent the pen when in use to accelerate the discharge of ink the rubber or cork member Scan be raised slightly from the upper end of the tube 9, and a vent 17 in the tubular part of the piston rod will enable the air to assist in discharging the ink. It willbe understood that the vent tube prevents the reservoir from being overcharged with ink i so as to risk leakage through the gland 6 during a filling operation. a

The reservoir is preferably detachably accommodated in an outer sheath, whichas shown in Fig. 1 can be a vulcanite or other suitable tube 18 slid over the reservoir so as to abut against the cap 10 and to expose the nib receiving part 2, a cap 19 being threaded on to the part 2 by threaded parts 20 and 21 and adapted to be pushed over the upper end of the sheath 18. However, if desired the cap 19 and sheath 18 can be integral parts as shown in Fig. 8. f v v, In Figs. 10, 11 and 12 I have shown a some what simplified form of my invention in which greater'ink capacity is obtained and a greater stroke, is given to the pistonjby reducing the lost motion. The vent tube 9. is still incorporated and passes through the piston 11 and a sleeve 23 into the tubular piston rod 7 which acconnnodates the sealing device 8 and has one or more air vent apertures 17 to provide for an easy flow of air through the. annular space in the piston rod 7 surrounding the vent tube 9; The open lower end of the rod 7 is threaded orotherwise fixed to the upper end of the sleeve 23 and this sleeve slides easily through the plston 11 a distance determined by. the; space between a flanged abutment 2a and a valve member 12 on its lower end so that soon after the upper end of the vent tube9 is uncovered the valve 12 is drawn against the lower side of the piston 11 as shown in Fig. 11, sealing its central aperture 1141; which is normally opened, as shown. in Fig. 10, by the slots 23a in the sleeve 23 and then drawing the piston upwards for the remaining pull on the piston rod, any air above the piston being displaced through the vent tube 9. Upon completion of the retracting stroke of the piston rod, the rod is, pushed inwards and the flange 24: abuts against the piston moving it back to its normal position andallowing ink to flow through the piston and slots 23a. to the space above the piston. This cycle of operations is continued until it is seen throughthe transparent reservoir 1 that the reservoir is. charged to the required extent.

The head 10 of the piston rod is threaded on to the gland 6, and in this embodiment this head is threaded externally, as at 10a to provide a method 0t. retaining the covering sheath 18 over the reservoir, the sheath being screwed at one end'on tothe threaded part 10a as shown in Fig. 9, and formed at its other end with a thread 18a on to which is screwed acap 19 as distinct from screwing. the cap on to the reservoir as in the previously de scribed embodiment; When the, pen is in use the cap 19 is pushed overthe head .10 and upper end of the sheath 18. which abuts against said head. The lower. end of the sheath 18 is tapered inwards as indicatedat 18b to conform with the normal configuration of pen.

t will be seen that this embodiment obviates the enlargement 15 andrthe sleeve 16.

In order to enable the various parts to be readily distinguished I have exaggerated some of the dimensions in the drawings, For example the space 22 which normally accommodates the enlargement 15 of the sleeve 14.-

is only slightly longer axially than the axial dimension of the said enlargement sothat a very slight. movement is only required to 13. Likewise. the amount of movement required tobring the valve lg i nto, contact with move the saidcnlargement into the passage t e. pist n l srmn s ertertha sho n in th drawi .51 hin r 1 eli fil iag fo n ain; pen comp is n a reservoir with a nib at one end a r a 1 t. the t er en a tub la pis n d sl de-t e thr h. s d; stand, a u ar a r vent passage extending concentrically along the interior of the tubularpiston rod from the nib; end of the pen to a point near-the upp r aride e rvo a pi n,

meets o aidr on. r d. ap to engage oppos te sides 0t said piston tor-retracting 1t advancing t w thin the reservoir, a

sealing abutment in said piston rod adapted has a frictional sliding engagemcnt for a" limited movement of thepiston rodsothat thevalve. carrying member is raised with the piston rod until: its valve engages the piston whereupon the piston rod is 'raised relative to the valve, carrying member and piston for a predetermined distance, and abutmentson said tubularenlargement and said, valve carrying member adapted at completion of. said relative movement to draw the said tubular enlargement, valve carrying member and piston upwards to effect a suction or ink charging action. v

2; v A self-filling fountain. pen comprising a reservoir. with a nib at one end and a gland at the other. end, a tubular piston. rod slid-.

able through. said. gland, atubular air vent passage extending concentrically along the interior of thetubular piston rod from the nib end; of the pen to a point near. theupper end of the reservoir, a piston, abutments'on said piston rod. adapted to engageopposite sides of. said; piston. for retracting. it and. ad-

vancing it within the reservoir, a sealing abutment Inshld piston rod adapted normally "to seat against. and close the upper endofsaidiv alr vent passage, a valve carry ng member slidable over said tubular air vent passage, said valve carryingv member being I slidable throughthe piston and having a lost. mot-ion connection .to the lower or inner end of the piston rod, whereby the. valve. is drawn against said piston after. predetermined movement of the. piston rodv outwards. and the piston, retracted to draw ink intothe space beneath the piston after the expiration;

of. saidlostmotion. V I

3 A. self-filling fountain. pen comprising a reservoir with. a nib atone .endand a gland atithe other end, a tubular: pistonlroid slidable h eugli aid-gland, a ubu ar. e t pas age extending concentrically along the" interior of the tubular piston rod from the nib end of the pen to a point near the upper end of the reservoir, a piston, abutments onsaid piston rod adapted to engage opposite sides of said piston for retracting it and" advancing it within the reservoir, asealing abutment in said piston rod adapted normally to seat against and closethe upper end of said air vent passage, avalve carrying member slidable over said tubular air vent passage, said valve carrying member being slidable through the piston and having a lost motion connection-tothe lower or inner end of the piston rod, whereby the valve is drawn against said piston after a predetermined movement of the piston rod outwards and the piston retracted to draw ink into the space beneath the piston after the expiration of said lost motion, an'ink outflow passage between the reservoir and the nib, said valve carrying member beingadapted to close said ink outflow passage upon a slight initial retraction of the piston rod.

i. A self-filling fountain pen comprising a reservoir with a nib at one end and'a gland at the other end, a tubular piston rod slidable through said gland, a tubular air vent passage extending concentrically along the interior of the tubular piston rodifrom the nib end of the pen to a point near the upper end of the reservoir, a piston, abutments on said piston rod adapted to engage opposite sides of said piston for retracting it and advancing 1t within the reservolr, aseal- 'ing abutment in said piston rod adapted normally to seat against and close the upper end of'said airventpassage, a sleeve slidable through the piston, a valve on and between the ends ofsaid sleeve adapted to engage the lower side of the piston, a longitudinal aperture in the sleeve above the valve providing an ink passage through the piston, the portion of the sleeve above the piston having a frictional and lost motion connection with the lower end ofthe piston rod, the arrangement beingthat when the said valve is drawn into engagement with the piston, the friction of the pistonwill hold the sleeve against further axial movement until the piston rod has been drawn outwards sufiiciently to overcome said lost motion whereupon the piston is raised to draw ink into the reservoir, an enlargement on the lower end of said sleeve adapted upon a slight initial outward movement of the piston rod 'tobe drawninto and to close said ink'outflow' passage, and upon engagement of the valve with the piston to be drawn upwards clear of said passage. f

5. A self-filling fountain pen comprising a reservoir with a'nib at one end and a gland "atthe other end, a tubular piston'rod' slidi able-throughsaid gland, a tubular air vent passage extending concentrically along the interior ofthe'tubular piston rod from the nib endof the pen to a point near the upper end of the reservoir, a piston, abutments on said piston rod'adapted to engage opposite sidesof'said'pistonfor retracting it and advancing it within the-reservoir, a sealing abutment in said piston rod adapted normally to seat against and close the upper end of said air ventpassage, a sleeve slidable through the piston, aya lve on and between the ends ofsaid sleeve adapted to engage the lower side of the piston, a longitudinal aperture in the-sleeve above the valve providing an ink-passage through the piston, the portion of the sleeve above the-piston having a frictional and lost motion connection with the lower end of the piston rod, the arrangement being that when the said valve is drawn intoengagement with the piston, the friction of the piston will hold the sleeve against further axial'movement until the piston rod has been drawn outwards sufficiently to overcome sald lost motion whereupon the pistonis raised to draw ink into the reservoir,

slidable tubular piston rod slidable through said gland, said piston rod being connected "to a-pair of piston operating abutments and having a lost motion connection with one of them, theother normally engaging the upper side of a piston slidable as a tight lit in the reservoir, said abutment engaging the upper side of the piston being adapted to press the piston downwards after the piston has,

been operated to draw ink into the reservoir,

and the other abutment being adapted to be drawn by retraction of said rod against the lower face of the piston to close an ink passage therein and to move the piston upwards to efiect a charging stroke, the said lower abutment constituting a one-Way valve and having movable withit a member adapted to isolate the reservoir from the ink flow passage of thenib end of the pen during the K movement of the valve from its normal open position to the stage when it engages and closes the ink passage in the piston, an air .vent tube extending from an opening in the lower end of the pen to a point near the upperend of the reservoir and being located .at its'upper end concentrically: within but annularly spacedfrom the tubular piston rod, said tubular piston rod normally sealing the upper end of said vent tube and con- 'taining an' air vent opening adapted when the tubularpiston rod is raised so as to uncover the upper end of said vent tube to establish communication with the interior of the resfervoir and the air'vent'in the space above the retracting piston.

7. In a self-filling fountain pen, in combination, a transparent reservoir, a nib retaining member connected with said reservoir and provided with a passage, a piston Within said reservoir, a piston rod passing through said piston, a cap secured to the upper end of said piston rod and normally abutting against the upper end of said reservoir, a sleeve within said reservoir, a vent tube extending from the passage formed in said nib retaining member directly into said reservoir and through said sleeve into said piston rod, said sleeve and said piston rod being adapted to move as a single unit coaxially relative to said tube, an abutment formed on said sleeve, a valve at its lower end, a passage formed in said piston, said valve bein adapted to be drawn against said piston to seal its said passage so that ink is sucked into the reservoir, said abutment being adapted to be pushed against said piston to return it to its normal position, an opening formed in said sleeve to allow ink to flow through said piston, and a sealing device inside said piston rod normally closing the upper end of said vent tube.

GEORGE STEl/VART VIVIAN. 

